Benayoun brands Hammers a 'bunch of drunks'

Yossi Benayoun has accused his West Ham team-mates of performing like "a bunch of drunks" after their humiliation by Reading on New Year's Day.

The 6-0 humbling at the Madejski Stadium leaves the Hammers in the bottom three of the Premiership as their new manager, Alan Curbishley, begins his transfer-window search for players who can help the club avoid relegation.

Curbishley gave his players the day off yesterday and has insisted none of his squad will leave Upton Park this month, but Benayoun fears any repeat of the manner in which they were dispatched by Steve Coppell's side. "It was an absolute disgrace," said the Israeli midfielder. "I felt humiliated. If things keep on as they are we're definite to go down.

"The coach has said no one is leaving but after a game like that who knows. The defence was shocking. We had practised on corners and free-kicks so Reading wouldn't score like that but they put five out of six from corners and set pieces into our goal."

The defeat meant West Ham took only a point from their four games in 10 days over the holiday period amid growing criticism of the players. But despite his own struggle for form, Benayoun said: "In our last game, I was the best man on the pitch, but what could I have done against Reading? I only touched the ball twice."